Asia Cup 2018: Pakistan challenge India setting 238-run target

DUBAI (92 News) – Pakistan set a rather daunting target of 238 runs for India in Super Four round stage encounter of Asia Cup 2018 at Dubai. Pakistan scored 237 in 50 overs and set a moderate target after failing the top order batsman. Pakistan received its first setback as legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal trapped opener Imamul Haq (10) on lbw in the Asia Cup. His brief stay contributed team 10 runs off 20 balls. The next to depart was Fakhar Zaman, the out of form batsman was given lbw on the ball of Kuldeep Yadav as he lost his balance when he strode to hit. Replays indicate that the batsman managed a glove on the ball before it hit his body. A review might have prolonged his stay. Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed's erroneous decision costed middle-order batsman Babar Azam's wicket. The skipper signalled for a run but after a few steps, out realises he'll never make it hence returned back to crease leaving Azam stranded. Shoaib Malik provided a much-needed stability to the team after back-to-back wickets halted Pakistan from building early momentum against India after opting to bat in the Asia Cup match being played at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. A 107 stand between Malik and skipper Sarfraz Ahmed deflected the pressure towards India before Kuldeep Yadav dismissed the skipper on 44 runs. Senior batsman Shoaib Malik (78) was the next to leave as he nudged the bowl to the keeper. The veteran's innings included 4 boundaries and two sixes on the strike rate of 86.66. In the beginning, Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed has won the toss and elected to bat first against India in Asia Cup Super Four match. With the final of Asia Cup on the line, Pakistan will be looking to exact revenge on their subcontinent neighbors after their eight-wicket defeat at the hands of India on Wednesday. Whereas, India are eyeing a place in the final after three wins in as many matches, while Pakistan will look to step up their game in the Super Four match, after a scare against Afghanistan. Following the first match between the arch-rivals, India went on to defeat Bangladesh by seven wickets while Pakistan pulled off a sensational last over three-wicket win against Afghanistan in the Super Four stage.   Conditions The dry heat will once again test players’ limits – temperatures are expected to touch 40°C. The pitches at the Asia Cup have so far assisted spinners plenty, and there’s nothing to suggest that will change.   Squad   Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Fakhar Zaman, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, Imam ul Haq, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Usman Shinwari, Shaheen Afridi   India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Khaleel Ahmed, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Manish Pandey, KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Siddarth Kaul